Our Trip to Michigan

In October, we took a small trip up to my stomping grounds in Michigan with the plane.  It was a blast to see old friends and visit places I hadn't been to for 20+ years.  A lot has changed in Battle Creek and driving down the street, I would spark a memory that I had forgotten.  It was a trip that I really needed just to just get away.

Once we hopped off the plane, got our rental car, ate some food, and checked into the hotel, we made our way to Binder Park Zoo for their annual "ZooBoo".  We were meeting a few people there...8 to be exact!  I can't remember the last time I went to the ZooBoo, but it sure has changed...and sadly, it's changed for the worse.  I was very disappointed in it, but we still had a great time.

This picture does not capture how bright red these trees are

Close to the entrance, a giant ant...KK pretending that its eating his hand 

Posing for a picture with Sugar Bear

On the trian.  I remember that I used to LOVE sitting in the back of the train because the seat faced backward, so the whole ride you were going backward

My Boys!

There are a TON of peacocks there...KK loved them and so did Mr H

Hanging out with Ori and Addy

THIS...THIS, my friends, is the house I spent 15 years of my life in.  THIS, little, 3 bedroom, 1 bath house is where my 5 younger siblings and parents lived!  SO MANY MEMORIES!

The Bridge we used to walk across after church most Sunday's

A couple of Swans

We went to Goguac Lake and saw this play area, which wasn't there when I lived here.  And of course KK wanted to play!  He would climb to the very top and told us that it was "Preach" time, that he was going to preach to us.  He makes me laugh.

He didn't want to leave

After going down the slide...lol

It made my hair sooo wild

The leaves on the trees were so vibrant

It was a bit chilly, but after running around, playing, he didn't want his sweater on

Love them!

I love these boys!

On our way home, ET loved the flight and slept most of the way.  He survived his first flight and seemed to really enjoy it

In the summer I would really like to go back up there and go to the World's Longest Breakfast table.  We also have other people we'd like to see that we weren't able to with this trip, so I'm sure we will get back up there sooner rather than later.

Last Day in Florida

May 19th was our last day in Florida.  We got back to our hotel sooo late last night that we hadn't even started packing for our trip home.  We needed to be checked out of the hotel at 11am and we needed to make sure that the stroller was returned by 8am to the hotel's office.  Luckily Mr H. got up early and took the stroller to the office and came back only to fall back asleep.  Yup, we didn't wake up until the VERY LAST MINUTE.  To say that we were scrambling around like mad would be an understatement.  I finally just didn't care about organization when packing...I just started shoving things in a bag hoping that everything would fit.  We finally got everything packed, put in the car, and locked up 2 mins late, the front office didn't care though, so that was a sigh of relief.  

We decided to get some souvenirs, since we didn't really buy anything at Disney because it was so expensive.  All of the touristy shops around were not impressive to me.  So we went to Wal-Mart to buy some things.  We let KK pick out one stuffed animal.  He was having SUCH a hard time picking out the one he wanted to bring home.  After about 5 mins.  I sat on the floor and had him sit on my lap and I asked him what was making it so hard to choose.  He told me that he was afraid that people would make fun of him for choosing a princess doll instead of a Disney character.  I told him that I wanted him to chose something that made him happy.  So I took a picture of him holding a Disney character and a picture of him holding the princesses and to chose based on the picture which one he looked the most happy about.  And these are the pictures...

Remember this?  KK is my Princess boy.  He LOVES princesses and girly things...but he is also SUCH a boy.  He is very well rounded and I hope his wife thanks me one of these days.  Needless to say that he chose a Disney Princess...Aurora to be exact.  We also picked up some Disney pins and a lanyard for me.  Also, Mr H picked out a Goofy stuffed animal and KK picked out a Mickey for me.  We had fun looking and buying souvenirs for us, I know that we saved a TON of money by shopping at Wal-Mart instead of at the Disney Park.  Once we were done shopping we had lunch and headed to the airport.

We had some time before we needed to go to the terminal and we spent it taking pictures with a spaceman, Harry Potter, and Goofy.  We also looked around at the Disney store that's there.  There was a charm bracelet that you can create that I really liked, but I told mr H. that we could probably find all the charms cheaper on ebay.

The flight was rough again...I tried sleeping for a while, but it still made me queezy.  I had to get up and use the bathroom a couple times and each of those times the pilot had told everyone to stay in their seats...so that kinda stunk.  But at least the flight was only 2 hours and by the time we landed in Dayton, I was glad to be on the land and KK was excited to see Papa, my dad, who was picking us up.  K's was so happy and run to   jump into my dad's outstretched arms.  We pinked up the luggage and realized that one of our bags was missing...so we had to report it.  I was frustrated, thinking that someone took it, but they assured me that it was probably lost in transit, which is weird because it was the first bag we checked and the other bags got to us.  Luckily we only had to wait a couple days and they delivered the bag to our home.

This vacation was awesome and we're already talking about the next time we go to Disney World.  I would like to put together a post about things that worked and didn't work for us...but that might be a little while.  I need to catch up on how life has been after the vacation.

Last day at Disney

May 18th was our very last day at Disney...I was sad to have our vacation come to an end, but also glad to go home.

We went to Epcot first, I told Mr H. that we forgot to have a family photo there the last time we went...so here's the family photo.  Pretty much the only thing I wanted to ride at Epcot was Soarin' and Test Track.  We went to Test Track to wait in line and I told Mr H. he should go to Soarin' to get a fast pass.  So it was just KK and I waiting until he came back.

This is KK waiting in the Test Track line.  It was cooler in the shade...plus he had that water fan pointed on him.  He said his feet were hurting him and he was tired.  So he just kind of hung out there until I moved to where I couldn't see him.  Mr H. came back and said he didn't get the fast pass for Soarin' because we were expecting to be gone by the time they were ready to be used

So before we left Epcot, we saw this ride called Mission: SPACE.  You can choose a less intense or a more intense version.  I had NO idea what I was getting into and I said a MORE intense (bad choice).

Basically the ride simulates you taking a ride to Mars but before you enter the ride, it warns that anyone who gets motion sick or who doesn't like confined spaces should exit the ride before moving forward.  Well, I get motion sick but didn't want to look like a baby in front of my 6 year old so I continued on in the ride.  It was a bad experience.  You felt G-forces and you were turned around and it just wasn't fun.  I was just trying to breathe through it.  Mr H. asked if I was alright, I said I'm just waiting for the ride to end and that I wasn't ok.  KK liked the ride, but it pushed you back in your seat so hard that I was surprised that KK was able to lift his arms to hit the flashing buttons that the ride indicated to push.  After the ride, though, KK said he didn't feel well and said he felt like he was going to puke.  We had him drink some water and sit for a little while.  There was a play area right before the exit of the ride and he wanted to play for a while.

After Epcot we went back to our hotel to eat lunch and get ready for Blizzard Beach.  At Blizzard Beach KK and Mr H. went to go ride the water slides I hung out at the lazy river.  I just relaxed, I may have even fallen asleep at some points because it was so relaxing.  We chose to meet each other at the wave pool at 4:30 (the park closed at 5:00).  Once the park closed, we went back to our hotel and KK ate more food (half of a pizza, mind you!) and swam in our pool for about an hour, then we got ready to go to Magic Kingdom to ride more of our favorite rides.

On the way to the Magic Kingdom

KK was a tired boy on the way over to Magic Kingdom for the last time this trip.  Luckily, we had that stroller.  He was able to nap while walking from the parking lot to the monorail to the park.  He really needed that nap, especially since we were going to be at the park until closing time.  I didn't get any other pictures of the day, but we were able to hit up ALL of our favorite rides, watch the electrical parade, and watch the fireworks from Splash Mountain.

We were so happy to have the opportunity to go to Disney World, we may need to pinch our pennies now but the memories were sooo super worth it.  KK is at that right age to have it be so spectacular and magical.  It's been 2 weeks since we returned home and he talks about Disney at least a couple times a day.  He wants to know when we are going back.  Mr H. and I think that we should be able to go back in about 2 years.  Nugget will be almost 2 and we will be able to get a big discount as Nugget won't be 2 yet.  We're also hoping that my parents (maybe siblings family) and Mr H.'s mom might be able to come with us.  At least that's what we are tentative planning.  Hope it works out!

Hollywood Studios

Today (May 17) we went to Hollywood Studios, which was unlike anything I have experienced before.  There is something going on at every corner, there are characters singing and dancing, people acting out scenes, it was very busy.  It was so busy, in fact, that I had completely forgotten to take a single picture until almost lunch time.

One ride that is housed at Hollywood Studios is "Tower of Terror".  This ride KK waned to out due G.  Mr H had told KK that G started crying when he went on this ride, so KK wanted to out due him and show him up.  The wait wasn't too long and so we got fast passes and stood in line.  The ride starts off bringing everyone into a run-down hotel and shows a video of "The Twilight Zone", and then they ushered everyone onto these elevators.  The first time we went, I sat next to the wall, KK sat in the middle, and Mr H. was in the aisle.  When the ride starts, you wind around then settle into a shaft that lifts to high into the air, then drops you.  The sequence is totally random, up, down, UP, down, DOWN, etc.  Every time you go on the ride it's different every time.  KK LOVED the ride, as soon as he was strapped in his hands went high into the air.  When the ride dropped, I was holding on for dear life and KK was over there hands high and legs up in the air...he was weightless and squealing with happiness.  He is my adrenaline junky, loves the fast and crazy rides!  After the line had gotten too long of a wait we decided to do some other things.

KK meeting Ferb, from Phineas and Ferb

I'm not quite sure about KK's face

We went to the "Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show".  I wasn't quite sure if KK would like it, but it was nice and cool and we were able to eat some food and enjoy the show.  KK's favorite part was when Indiana Jones was crushed by the big boulder and how Indiana punched 2 guys off the roof.  I was pleasantly surprised that KK enjoyed the show and now he wants to watch the movies...which we'll have to see about.  I know Temple of Doom is a little dark for him

Mr H and KK were SO SUPER excited to wait in line to have pictures taken with McQueen and Mater

Look at KK's pose...he cracks me up

I GUESS I will be in the photo too!

I love my family

After lunch, there was some time before the next show we wanted to go to.  While Mr H and KK went to "Tower of Terror" again I stayed in the shade of the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" set.  I watched kids play and just enjoyed sitting.  After I rested, I made my way over to the "Lights Motors Action" Cars Stunt Show.  There was about an hour before the show, but I wanted good seats and I've heard that those seats fill up quickly.  So I texted Mr H. to tell him where I was.  Just before the gates opened there was a surge of people who started cutting and pushing their way to the front.  It was kind of annoying...but I'm really good at ramming the stroller at people's ankles maneuvering around people.  Mr H and KK found me about 15 mins before they opened the gates and once opened, they ushered us through and we found our seats...Mr H. picked them out...which was an awesome location!

The show was too cool, lots of racing, chasing, and explosions

The location of our seats was optimal for KK to be able to be a part of the show!  They asked for volunteers to help them drive a car...instantly Mr H's hand rose into the air.  Then they said their helper would need to be good with video games and less than 18 years old.  KK jumped up on the bench with his hands flying around and the lady picked KK.  Now I should mention is that this place was JAMMED packed with people, the place sits 5,000 people and there was no open area anywhere...so essentially out of 5,000 people, they had picked KK to help them with their show.  He was so super duper shy and wanted me to come with him.  Later, he told me if he's a little shy then he will pick dad to go with him, but if he is super shy he will pick mom.  So he must has been super shy to have picked me.  Mr H. got it caught on video.  It was so cool to get this experience with him.

After the Stunt show we decided to go to the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" set which was a huge kids playground that squirted water every which way 

At the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" set KK gave a scare.  There were these stairs that lead to 3 slides.  I watched one slide, Mr H watched the other, and I suppose that KK went down the other because for about 3 mins (felt like 10 mins) we couldn't find him.  Remember I talked about the whistle we gave him?  Well, he wasn't going to use it because he didn't think he was lost!  My mind was going crazy.  Luckily, there was only 1 way in and 1 way out.  If I just stood by the entrance/exit, hopefully eventually I would find him.  Mr H. finally found him and once I saw him, I couldn't even stand anymore.  I had to sit down.  I watched that boy like a hawk after that.

Anyone recognize this!?

From "Flight of the Navigator" I loved this movie growing up

While we were at Hollywood Studios, it was Star Wars weekend and a ton of Star Wars characters and a ton of Star Wars fans.  We're not really Star Wars fans but KK was able to get a Storm Trooper's autograph.

Toy Soldier KK was able to meet

Waiting in the Toy Story line.  This was the longest wait we experienced for a ride...70 mins!

Goofy Face

At least they had fun little things to look at.  The whole area looked like Andy's Room, it was pretty neat

Waiting for Fantasmic to start...my lap is getting too small for both my belly and KK on it!

This was an awesome show!  

All the characters waving to us

It was sad to know that our time in Florida was coming to an end.  We have had a lot of fun.  Only one more  day at Disney.  We can't wait to come back!

Animal Kingdom

Today (May 16) we went to Animal Kingdom to eat breakfast with a bunch of the characters.  I love how Disney is so accommodating with those with allergies.  The chef came out and personally went through the menu with me...told me what to avoid, which things he wasn't quite sure of, and which food items were perfectly fine for me.  For those curious minds out there...I am allergic to celery/celery seeds and sunflower seeds/oil.  I have to read labels a lot...even on health and beauty items.  Once I had a reaction and realized that there was sunflower oil in the lotion!  I have to carry an epi-pen with me everywhere I go because I have gone into anaphylactic shock a couple times before so now I need to carry one around. 

Actually, the first time I ate sunflower seeds, I was at a friends house and my throat started getting very itchy and I was having a hard time breathing so I went home (I was probably 10 or 11) thinking that I was having an asthma attack (which I also had as a child) and when I got home my mom made me mad about something...I don't even know what it was about, but I stomped into my room and curled up into a ball fighting to breath and just kept thinking "FINE, my mom can just find me here dead!"  I really thought that I was going to die...it was a pretty bad reaction.  I am VERY lucky, however, that I didn't die.  My mom knows that story and feels bad for whatever it was that made me not want to tell her that I couldn't breathe and my throat was closing.  Thank goodness kids are resilient.  Anyway, back to Animal Kingdom....

Waiting to eat Breakfast



Donald Duck greeted us at the entrance

Mickey Mouse!

Daisy Duck

Mr H. wanted to get into the picture as well, since he was wearing a Goofy shirt

These were maracas that the kids shook while dancing with the characters.  I had to take a picture with KK at least shaking it.  He was in the bathroom while the dancing took place. 

After breakfast we stood in line for a safari ride.  KK was being goofy showing us what he would look like with a mustache

KK took this picture of Nugget, he wanted Nugget to be in the pictures too.  Look how swollen my hands are getting...

KK said, "Strike a Pose"

Just before the ride



A Black Rhino, which are endangered 

Hippos, KK enjoyed these animals

Did you know the reason crocs keep their mouths open like that is to regulate their temperature?  I didn't, until this safari

Giraffes, they were so awesome

I love the elephants

My Boys!

Family Photo

KK loved beating the drums

That archway that I am about to go under was actually a person on stilts.  It was pretty awesome!

We got soaked a couple times on Kali River Rapids.  KK LOVED this ride...you never knew who was going to get the most wet and 2 out of 3 times we went...we got soaked!

My Goofy K's

So after we went on all the rides and saw everything we wanted to at Animal Kingdom we went to Blizzard Beach for a couple hours.  We went on a couple water slides and spent the rest of the time in the wave pool.  But before we went to the wave pool I needed to use the bathroom so while the boys were at the pool, I went to find a bathroom and on my way I happened upon a woman who had a seizure.  I was able to use my nursing skills and got her on her side so she wouldn't aspirate.  I stayed until the paramedics got there.  I wasn't quite sure if they were medical staff....they looked like lifeguards, so I asked if they were Medics.  I didn't want to "give up" what I was doing to someone who wasn't qualified.  The whole time I was there, I kept thinking.  I need my oxygen and mask and other medical supplies.  It was a scary situation but I knew that I could handle it.  I am grateful for my knowledge...that knowledge can be taken with me wherever I go!  But after the excitement I was finally able to go to the bathroom, then spend a little time with my boys at the wave pool.  After Blizzard Beach closed we decided to go back to our hotel and eat, rest, and get ready to go back to Magic Kingdom. 

Look at my poor tired, swollen feet...

This was a nice slower train ride

Nugget picture

Buzz Lightyear...KK being so silly!

So we didn't think KK was tall enough to go on Space Mountain, and was surprised when he was!  This ride freaked me out a little because he was sitting in a seat by himself and I couldn't hold onto him to make sure he was alright.  I told him to hold onto the lap bar, or else he would've raised his arms in the air and this ride was pitch black...you never knew which way the coaster turned...it was quite an experience.  And of course, KK LOVED it

He is ready for the night life!

We had a really fun time today.  We were VERY busy, but it was a good day.  I love spending time with my family!